Aug. 28, 2000

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack head coach Mike Santiago said following Monday's practice that his team had a good workout, and is ready for the season to get underway Thursday night.

"Monday's practice started a little slow, but got better. Overall, it was a good practice. We got a lot of things accomplished Monday in getting ready for Central Oklahoma. It was the first time in full pads since last Wednesday's scrimmage, plus we had a full day of classes prior to practice, so it took a little while to get back into the flow. Once things got rolling however, we really got a lot of things accomplished," said Santiago.

SFA opens the season Thursday night at home against the University of Central Oklahoma. The Lumberjacks enter the game ranked seventeenth according to the Sports Network and eighteenth in the country according to USA Today/ESPN. Central Oklahoma is among the top ten in the nation among Division II schools in five of the six preseason polls around the country.

"This Thursday will be a good test for our football team. I really hope to see a lot of people in the stadium Thursday night, because this is going to be a great football game. Central Oklahoma has a lot of talent at a number of positions. We only have five home games this season, so you can't let many opportunities slip by, so come out and see this team. It should be a great game to open what should be a great season for Lumberjack football," added Santiago.